Inclement Weather Policy

We are pleased to announce that FNC Park is now equipped with the Thor Guard Integrated Lightning Prediction and Warning system.

What does it do?

Thor Guard is a highly sophisticated sensor and computer that measures and analyzes the electrostatic field in the atmosphere. Lightning originated within this field allows Thor Guard to make calculations predicting its occurrence.

Who uses Thor Guard?

Thor Guard is being used by the United States Golf Association, LPGA, PGA tour, Nike Tour, ABC TV sports and was used in the Atlanta Summer Olympics. It is also used by several recreational facilities throughout the USA.

How effective is Thor Guard?

Thor Guard predicts the probability of lightning hazard in an area up to 25 square miles. It provides a specific reading of the risk in your immediate area.

How do you know when it is working?

Thor Guard is equipped with an interactive horn warning system. The first horn gives those outdoors the opportunity to seek shelter. After the horn sounds a flashing yellow strobe light (location on top of the FNC Park shop) will blink until 3 loud horn blast sounding an all clear and play can resume shortly after.

Instructions when the horn sounds:

1. When the Thor Guard Lightning prediction system “SOUNDS THE WARNING HORN”, all recreation activities will stop. Participants and spectators should seek immediate shelter.

2. Game officials and or coaches will not supersede this policy. All individuals choosing to ignore this policy will be responsible for their own actions.

3. Parents and any other individuals are encouraged to remind participants of this policy. Your action may save a life.

4. Thor Guard will:

Instructions for an OPC Event:

A). When lightning is within a 6 mile radius of FNC Park you will hear a loud 10 second horn blast indicating the need to clear the playing field. Once the horn sounds, signaling a lightning strike in range, the referee/umpire will ask that you (the coach) clear your team from the field.

B). Once you receive this information or hear the sound of the horn we ask you gather your parents and players and instruct them to get into their vehicles and wait for the determination regarding the severity of the weather in the surrounding area. The wait will be no more than 20 minutes. Please realize this is not an emergency situation! Thor Guard is an EARLY WARNING detection system that will detect lightning within a 6 mile radius of FNC Park.

C). If the Thor Guard system continues to give its alert for 20 minutes or more activities will cease and the participants will be notified by staff members as well as the flying of a RED Flag that games have been cancelled for the remainder of the night. If the system gives us an all clear within 20 minutes of the initial horn blast, staff members will notify participants and we will fly a GREEN flag signaling play can resume.

Instructions for an FNC park Tournament Event:

A) When lightning is within a 6 mile radius of FNC Park you will hear a loud 10 second horn blast indicating the need to clear the playing field. Once the horn sounds, signaling a lightning strike in range, the referee/umpire will ask that you (the coach) to clear your team from the field.

B) Once you receive this information or hear the sound of the horn, we ask you gather your parents and players and instruct them to get into their vehicles and wait for the determination regarding the severity of the weather in the surrounding area. Please realize this is not an emergency situation! Thor Guard is an EARLY WARNING detection system that will detect lightning within a 6 mile radius of FNC Park.

C) Once we are all clear, Thor Guard will signal 3 loud 5 second horn blasts. At that point all activities can resume.